Built-in stretchable elastic shoe sole cover



Aug. 27, 1968 WEITZNER 3,398,468

BUILT-IN STRETCHABLE ELASTIC SHOE SOLE COVER Filed Oct. 13 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dorolhea /7. L/ez'fzner BY 25 W9 M Z ATTUHVE 5 Aug. 27, 1968 D. M. WEITZNER 3,398,468

BUILT-IN STRETCHABLE ELASTIC SHOE SOLE COVER Filed Oct. 13, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Dorolhea N. Weitzner Aug. 27, 1968 WEITZNER 3,398,468

BUILT-IN STRETCHABLE ELASTIC SHOE SOLE COVER Filed Oct. 13, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,398,468 BUILT-1N STRETCHABLE ELASTIC SHOE SOLE COVER Dorothea M. Weitzner, 8 E. 62nd St.,

New York, N.Y. 10021 Filed Oct. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 586,399 6 Claims. (Cl. 362.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A stretchable elastic cover for the sole of a shoe, the cover being hidden from view when not in use. The cover is readily removed from the sole of the shoe and readily adjusted so as to extend from its attachment to the heel portion to engagement with the sole portion of the shoe so as to prevent admission of moisture to the sole portion of the shoe. The cover is under tension when covering the sole portion of the shoe. The cover has a stretchable body with a flange adapted to be slipped over the toe portion of the shoe for interlocking the cover with the toe portion.

This invention relates generally to mens and womens shoes and more particularly to a stretchable elastic cover for the sole of the shoe anchored to the heel.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a stretchable cover for the sole of a shoe anchored at one end of the heel of the shoe and hidden from view when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stretchable cover for the sole of a shoe foldable on the heel and anchored at one end thereto, the cover being positioned under the heel of the wearer when not in use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cover for the sole of a shoe designed, when not in use to be anchored to a portion of the shoe, it being unnecessary to provide any supplemental means upon the shoe for attaching the cover, and, therefore, said shoe being permitted to retain all appearances of an ordinary shoe.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cover for the sole of a shoe that is readily removable from the sole and that can be readily adjusted so as to extend from its attachment to the heel of the shoe and into engagement with the sole of the shoe so as to prevent the admission of moisture thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cover for the sole of a shoe that is anchored at one end to the heel of the shoe and is under tension when covering the sole of the shoe.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a onepiece cover for the sole of a shoe that is out of sight when the foot of the wearer is in the shoe.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a cover for the sole of a shoe that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and highly efficient for the purpose intended.

Broadly, the invention comprises a foldable stretchable body folded into two folds, one fold being anchored to the top surface of the heel of a shoe, the other fold being stretchable and extensible over the bottom of the sole of the shoe and adapted to be anchored to the peripheral edge of the toe portion of the shoe.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a shoe embodying one form of the invention.

3,398,468 Patented Aug. 27, 1968 FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the first step in positioning the cover over the sole of the shoe.

FIG. 3 is a similar view on a reduced scale, showing the next step in positioning the cover over the shoe.

FIG. 4 is a similar view, on a reduced scale, showing the next step in positioning the cover over the sole.

FIG. 5 is a similar view showing the cover in operative position on the sole of the shoe.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the plane of the line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a shoe, embodying a first modified form of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a similar view showing a step in the positioning of the cover of FIG. 8 for the sole portion and instep portion.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the plane of the line 1010 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken on plane of the line 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of a shoe, embodying a second modified form of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 1313 of FIG. 12, a foot of a wearer being shown in the shoe.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further modified form of the invention wherein the sole cover comes out of an opening in the top of the heel and extended through a hole in the arch of the shoe.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective View of a still further form of the invention similar to the form shown in FIG. 1 but with the sole cover secured to the underside of the inner sole.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of the form of the invention shown in FIG. 16 and taken generally on line 17-17 thereof.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the invention showing a sole cover with a hook adapted to be fastened to the slot in the shoe sole.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 18 showing the cover stored in the heel and the rubber inner sole being stretched to uncover the heel opening for removal of the rubber.

Referring now in detail to the various views of the drawings, a womans shoe is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The shoe includes an open sole portion 12, instep portion 14, heel portion 16 of the French type, with a lift 18, and toe portion 20. The shoe may be formed of leather or plastic. A sectional leather or plastic strap 22, with buckle 24, extends over and across the heel portion 16.

The cover is normally folded approximately midway its ends and one fold anchored to the top surface of the heel portion 16 and adjacent top end of the instep portion 14a by means of the adhesive 34. The other unattached fold is folded over the anchored fold, the folds fitting the top surface of the heel portion as shown in FIG. 1, the cover being substantially hidden from view when the wearers foot is on the sandal.

In use, the unattached fold of the cover is unfolded in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 2 and then stretched and extended in the direction of the arrow beyond the toe portion 20 of the shoe as shown in FIG. 3. Next the stretched cover is swung downwardly in the direction of the arrow past the toe portion 20 to a position below the sole portion 12 as shown in FIG. 4, so that the toe end of the cover with the flange 30 is positioned below the sole portion 12. The next and final step in positioning the cover is to slip the flange 30 over the peripheral edge of the toe portion 20 shown in FIG. 5. The cover may readily be slipped off of the toe portion 20, when the cover will automatically be retracted to the position of FIG. 2.

The principles of the invention lend themselves to various modifications, one of which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive. In this arrangement, the instep portion 14 of the shoe 10 is formed with a transverse rectangular-shaped closed slot 40. The strap 22' is fastened by means of a snap fastener 42 instead of a buckle.

The sole cover 26' is similar in construction to the sole cover 26 of FIG. 1. In use, however, it is not necessary to stretch the cover 26 over the toe end of the sole 12' and over the toe portion but instead of the top fold of the cover is inserted through the slot 40 in the instep portion 14' to position it under the instep portion and the sole portion 12' and while in this lower position it is stretched in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9 and then the flange is finally slipped over the periphery of the toe end of the sole portion 12 and over the toe portion 20' as shown in FIG. 1.

Another modification of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The shoe 10" shown is similar to the shoe 10 of FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive. However, the sole cover 26" instead of being folded on and anchored to the top surface of the heel 16" is folded on and anchored to the top surface of the instep portion 14". In use, the top fold of the cover 26" is inserted through the slot to the underside of the instep portion 14 and sole portion 12 and is placed in final operative position over sole 12" and toe portion 20" in the same manner as the cover 26' of FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, another modified form of the invention is shown wherein the sole cover 26a is housed in folded condition in a compartment 44 in the heel 16a of the shoe 10a. The sole cover 26a is formed with a body 46 shaped similar to the sole 12a and instep 14a of the shoe, the instep portion 48 of the sole cover 26a terminating in a hooked end 50. A rectangular shaped closed slot 40a is formed in the instep portion 14a of the shoe. The compartment 44 and slot 40a are normally covered by the inner lining 52 of the shoe.

In use, the inner lining 52 is turned back exposing the compartment 44 and slot 40a as shown in FIG. 14. The sole cover 26a is then removed from the compartment 44 and its end 48 hooked over the juncture between the compartment and slot. The body 46 and instep portion 48 of the sole cover 26a are then inserted through the slot 40a to the underside of the sole 12a of the shoe. The body and instep portion are then extended, covering the instep and sole of the shoe and the flanges 30a of the sole cover are stretched over the toe portion 20a of the shoe as seen in FIG. 15.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, the invention is shown embodied in a mans shoe 10aa having a sole HM and heel 16aa, upper portion 56 with toe portion 2012a, and heel portion 58. An inner lining 60 is shown covering the inner surface of the sole 12aa. In accordance with the invention, the heel 1611a is formed with a recess 62 therein opening through the top surface of the heel. The sole cover 26aa is normally folded approximately midway its ends and one fold anchored to the under surface of the inner lining 66 by adhesive 34aa. The other unattached fold is folded over the anchored fold. The folded sole cover fits in the recess 62 of the heel.

In use, the inner lining 60 is turned back carrying and lifting the sole cover 26aa upwardly with it out of the recess 62. The unattached fold of the sole cover is unfolded and then stretched and extended beyond the toe portion 20aa of the shoe. Next the stretched cover is swung downwardly past the toe portion 20aa to a position below the sole portion 121m of the shoe so that the toe end of the cover with the flange 3011a is positioned below the sole portion 12m. The flange 30aa is then slipped 4 over the peripheral edge of the toe portion as shown in FIG. 16.

Still another modification of the invention is shown embodied in a womans shoe 10x in FIGS. 18 and 19. In this form, the sole cover 26x is housed in a folded condition in a compartment 70 in the heel portion 16x, the compartment opening upwardly through the top surface of the heel portion. The sole cover 26x is similar in construction to the sole cover 26a of FIG. 14 with a metal hook 72 fixed to the free end of the instep portion 74. The inner lining 76 of the shoe is formed of rubberized material and stretchable constituting a sling. Secured to the under surface of the sling at the heel portion thereof, there is a cover 78 for the compartment 70. The cover 78 has a body 80 similar in shape to the heel portion of the inner lining 76, the body having a peripheral flange 82 depending downwardly therefrom as seen in FIG. 19, and terminating in an inwardly extending lip 84. A semicircular groove 86 is formed in the outer surface of the heel 16x adjacent the top thereof. The lip 84 fits in the groove 86.

In use, the compartment cover 78 is removed from the compartment 70 by manually pulling the cover 78 rearwardly removing the lip 84 from the groove 86 and then lifting the cover 78 upwardly to expose the compartment with its contents. The sole cover 26x is then lifted out of the compartment 70. The hook 72 is hooked over the edge of the slot 40x extending through the instep portion 14x and then stretched over the toe end of the sole portion 12x of the shoe 10x and over the toe portion 20x. When the sole cover 26x is in protective position, during the attaching operation, release of pressure on the cover 78 will cause the cover 78 to snap forward in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 19 due to the plasticity of the inner lining, bringing the lip 84 into interlocking relation with the groove 86 in the heel 16x.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and further modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the claim.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shoe, a sole portion, an instep portion, a heel portion and a toe portion, a cover for the sole portion supported on the heel portion, said cover having a flange along the peripheral edge thereof at one end thereof, said cover being stretchable, means for positioning the cover below the sole portion and instep portion, said flange when the cover is below the sole and instep portions adapted to be slipped over the toe portion of the shoe for interlocking the cover with the toe portion, said positioning means being constituted by a rectangular closed slot in the cover at the juncture between the folds thereof, said slot being so dimensioned that upon stretching said one end of the cover the slot is enlarged sufficiently to pass over the instep portion, sole portion and toe portion of the shoe to permit the flanged end of the cover to be positioned below the sole portion thereby permitting the flange to he slipped over the toe portion of the shoe for interlocking the cover to the portion.

2. A shoe as defined in claim 1 characterized by a sectional strap extending above and over the top surface of the heel portion for holding the shoe on the foot of the wearer, said strap having a buckle for fastening the sections to each other.

3. In a shoe, a sole portion, an instep portion, a heel portion and a toe portion, a cover for the sole portion supported on the heel portion, said cover having a flange along the peripheral edge thereof at one end thereof, said cover being stretchable, means for positioning the cover below the sole portion and instep portion, said flange when the cover is below the sole and instep portions adapted to be slipped over the toe portion of the shoe for interlocking the cover with the toe portion, said positioning means being constituted by a rectangular shaped closed slot in the instep portion whereby said one end of the cover is adapted to be inserted through said slot to a position below the sole portion and instep portion, and a sectional strap extending above and across the top surface of the heel portion for securing the shoe on the foot of the wearer, the sections of the strap being fastened to each other by snap fasteners.

4. In a shoe, a sole portion, an instep portion, a heel portion and a toe portion, a cover for the sole portion supported on the heel portion, said cover having a flange along the peripheral edge thereof at one end thereof, said cover being stretchable, means for positioning the cover below the sole portion and instep portion, said flange, when the cover is below the sole and instep portions adapted to he slipped over the toe portion of the shoe for interlocking the cover with the toe portion, the support for the cover including a compartment in the heel portion open at the top, an inner lining normally closing said opening, the means for positioning the sole cover below the sole portion and the instep portion being constituted by a rectangular shaped slot in the instep portion, said sole cover having a hooked portion at one end thereof, said sole cover when removed from the compartment adapted to be positioned below the sole portion and instep portion and hooked to an edge of the slot by means of the hooked portion thereof, the flange on the sole cover when so positioned and hooked adapted to he slipped over the toe portion of the shoe for interlocking the cover to the toe portion.

5. A shoe as defined in claim 4 wherein the heel portion has a semi-circular groove in the outer surface thereof adjacent the top thereof, the inner lining being stretchable and means for removably holding said inner lining in compartment closing position, including a metal body shaped similarly to the heel portion of the lining, said body secured to the under surface of the inner lining at the heel portion thereof, said device having a downwardly extending peripheral flange, terminating in an inwardly extending lip removably fitted in the groove in the outer surface of the heel portion, said device adapted to be manually moved backwardly away from the opening in the compartment, said device when manual pressure is released adapted to be automatically returned to compartment covering position with the lip in the groove.

6. A shoe as defined in claim 4 wherein the hooked portion is constituted by a metal hook fixed to said one end of the instep portion of the sole cover and forming an extension thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 921,433 5/1909 Miller 361 3,174,234 3/1965 Weitzner 367.1 X 3,325,918 6/1967 Weitzner 36-1 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

